a new survey from ibm smarter commerce found online purchases of home-related goods took priority over back-to-school spending for families at the end of the summer. sales were up 30% in july from last year, up 26% in august for home-related items. our partners at "u.s.a. today" report the uptick is also helping mom and pop hardware stores and big boxes like home depot. >>> barnes and noble rolling out two new verges of its nook tab -- versions of its nook tablet. they have a sharper high def screen. the new nook hd will come in two sizes. a 7-inch screen starting at 199 bucks and the new 9-inch scoop called the nook hd plus starting at $269. the tablets are available for preorder online and in stores beginning tomorrow. they begin shipping in late october and arriving in stores in early november. >>> do you think you need coffee more than the average joe? let's see how your profession ranks? dunkin donuts and career builder teamed up to determine which professions feel more productive at work when they drink coffee. this is just in time for national coffee day. your time is coming, mi